Listen&Learn: The Industrial Revolution

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock
Learn about the way factories changed Europe’s economy in the 18th century.

Pre-listening vocabulary

  • industrial: relating to the production of items
  • revolution: a change in political, social, or economic systems
  • mass-produce: to use a machine to produce large amounts of something
  • factory: a place where items are made using machines
  • union: an organization of workers that try to gain better working conditions and pay
  • child labour: the use of children as workers in a factory or business

Listening activity

Gapfill exercise

The Industrial Revolution was a period of time when people began to use new to mass-produce items. It began in Europe in the 18th century, when new power sources like steam engines, electricity, and oil were becoming . The first country that started to industrialize was Britain, because they had the wealth that was necessary to build new . Soon, other European countries began to build machines too. This change caused a lot of people to start working in factories instead of on . However, some factories had very poor working conditions. Because of this, factory workers began to form unions so that they could protest against unfair treatment. This was when many countries decided to create to help protect workers. These new laws banned child labour, restricted working hours, and tried to make factories safer.

Comprehension questions

1. Britain was the first country to industrialize because

Correct! Wrong!

Britain was the first country to industrialize because they had the wealth needed to build machines.

2. Factory workers began to form unions because

Correct! Wrong!

Factory workers began to form unions because they were tired of poor working conditions.

3. One type of law that was created during the Industrial Revolution was

Correct! Wrong!

One type of law that was created during the Industrial Revolution was a law that banned child labour.

Discussion/essay questions

  1. Today, factories are everywhere. Mass production is the easiest way for companies to make and sell their products. However, factories can be very bad for the environment, because they pollute the air and contribute to climate change. How do you think factories can reduce the harm they cause to the environment?

Transcript

The Industrial Revolution was a period of time when people began to use new technology to mass-produce items. It began in Europe in the 18th century, when new power sources like steam engines, electricity, and oil were becoming common.  The first country that started to industrialize was Britain, because they had the wealth that was necessary to build new machines. Soon, other European countries began to build machines too. This change caused a lot of people to start working in factories instead of on farms. However, some factories had very poor working conditions. Because of this, factory workers began to form unions so that they could protest against unfair treatment. This was when many countries decided to create laws to help protect workers. These new laws banned child labour, restricted working hours, and tried to make factories safer. 

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub
© EnglishClub.com

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